NEWTON, MASS.— An INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION online survey found that business conditions are improving for distributors as 2003 comes to a close. While most respondents reported a decline in business in the first eight months of the year, the majority expect sales to be up by year's end, albeit modestly.

ID's home page encouraged site visitors to click on the "How's Business?" link, and respond to six questions. Following are the survey's results (figures may not add to 100, due to rounding):

When compared to the same period last year, during the first eight months of 2003, 11 percent of respondents' sales have increased 5–8 percent; 9 percent have increased by 3–5 percent; 9 percent have increased by 1–3 percent; 9 percent have increased less than 1 percent; 17 percent have decreased by 0–3 percent; 3 percent have decreased by 3–5 percent; and 29 percent have decreased by 5–8 percent. Fourteen percent of respondents chose "other."

New orders placed in the third quarter compared to last year improved for 21 percent of respondents, remained the same for 54 percent, and were down for 24 percent.

When comparing their inventory turnover to a year ago, 18 percent of respondents said that turnover has increased, 74 percent said it's about the same, and 9 percent said it has declined.

Nearly 18 percent of respondents say they've already purchased capital equipment this year, while 9 percent plan to purchase, 24 percent have deferred a budgeted purchase, and 50 percent of respondents have no plans to purchase any capital equipment.

When asked what their year-end picture looks like so far, 11 percent expect a sales increase of 5–8 percent; 9 percent expect an increase of 3–5 percent; 34 percent expect an increase of 1–3 percent; 9 percent expect an increase of less than 1 percent; 6 percent expect a decrease of 0–3 percent; 11 percent expect a decrease of 3–5 percent; and 11 percent expect a decrease of 5–8 percent. The remaining respondents chose "other."

Respondents who saw an increase then were asked what specific industrial markets are growing. Their answers included: all markets in China, all types of MRO markets, and chemical, construction, hose and accessories, janitorial, safety, military and petrochemical industries.